If there’s one thing I’ve learned from over 25 years of styling interiors, it’s this: that the coolest homes, the ones that feel effortlessly stylish and expensive always have used this one clever interior design trick: they use white paint. Yes…white! White walls, white skirting…whit everything!
About Maxine: Maxine is an award-winning stylist and creative director who works in London and Brighton. She specialises in interior, event and lifestyle styling. A former Style Editor at House Beautiful and Home, she now works freelance in Brighton, London and internationally. She hosts interiors podcast How to Home, runs a multi-award-winning décor blog, and has amassed 52k Instagram followers. Her presenting credits include shows on BBC, ITV and Channel 5.
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why Do interior designers Love white paint?
It might sound simple but white walls are cool for a reason. That’s because when you paint your space white, you are not following the latest interior trends but instead you’re taking inspirations from art galleries spaces. Art galleries look chic and are designed to let art and sculpture shine. That’s why painting your walls white looks so effortlessly cool in our homes. White walls create the perfect blank canvas that lets your furniture, art and accessories shine.
And when you get it right, a white backdrop will make your space feel curated, not cluttered. It allows the eye to rest. It makes colours of your furniture and accessories pop! And it lets your personality take centre stage in your home. Plus white paint look timeless too and won’t date.
Also, white paint hides all those awkward and ugly details you don’t want to draw attention to like radiators, plug sockets or strange architectural quirks like wonky walls fade into the background. I like to think of white walls as a soft-focus filter for your entire home as it make everything look blended and pulled together.
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How to Make your Home Look Cool With This One Clever Interior Design Trick
But not all whites are created equal. If you want to get that beautifully styled look, you need to follow my top five expert tips for choosing the right white paint.
1 CHECK YOUR UNDERTONES
There’s no such thing as plain white paint. Some shades lean warm with yellow or red undertones, others lean cool with hints of blue or grey. To get it right, choose a white that has an undertone that complements your flooring, furniture and natural light.
2 PICK THE RIGHT FINISH
For a soft, considered look, I love a white matt emulsion as it hides a multitude of sins and feels timeless. But in some rooms, I’ve gone for satin or gloss finishes on the walls, which reflect the light and create a more contemporary edge. A shiny surface works well in smaller or darker spaces where you want to reflect light.
3. THINK ABOUT NATURAL LIGHT
If your room is north-facing or feels naturally cool, go for a warm white paint to balance it out. South-facing rooms tend to have warmer light, so a cooler white can create a fresher, crisper feel. The difference this makes can’t be overstated, it will be transformative in your room.
READ: How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger & Work Smarter: 5 Design Ideas
4 ALWAYS SAMPLE YOUR WHITE PAINT (PROPERLY)
Never trust a tester patch that’s the size of a postcard! Paint a big square directly onto the wall, ideally in a few spots around the room and live with it for a couple of days. Morning, afternoon and evening light will all affect the way the colour looks. So pick wisely and paint that sample tin large on your walls.
5 PAINT YOUR WOODWORK WITH PURPOSE
Don’t overlook your skirting. It might seem like a small detail, but it completely changes the tone of your space.
When painting your walls white, you also need to consider what colour you paint your wood work too. There are a couple of interior styling tricks I use on shoots, that I have to share with you.
You can paint paint your walls and woodwork the same colour. Many paint brands offer the same shade in both emulsion and woodwork finishes. If you want a sleek look, then choose a matt finish for your skirting. It’s also a brilliant for making ceilings feel taller in smaller rooms.
Or you can paint the woodwork in the same colour white as your walls but in different finish. Go for satin or gloss white paint on the woodwork to add subtle contrast. This will reflect light and gives a clean, contemporary edge, while still feeling cohesive. I’ve tried both in room sets and they really do make a big difference.
And finally, you can go really bold and create a contrast. How? Well by picking a totally different colour. It’s what I’ve done in my own home. I painted the skirting and door frames in a grey shade that picks out the colours in my home, and it instantly made the whole space look more design-led. It will do the same for you too!
READ: Top 10 Paint Colour Trends That Will Make You Want To Paint Your Walls Right Now!
What do you think of this interior design trick Of Using White Paint in your home?
Painting your walls white is one of the easiest ways to make your home feel quietly chic and incredibly cool. It’s not boring: it’s deliberate. And once you know how to use it well, white becomes a powerful styling tool that works in every kind of home. It’s like magic!
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